The Mimosa Pudica Effect

I have this memory from when I was younger of a botanist teaching me about the Mimosa Pudica plants, otherwise known as the tiny fern-looking plants that are sensitive to pressure on their leaves. I learned that if you touch the end of the stem or run your finger down the middle, the leaves will close inward in a mesmerizing pattern. so, in every hike or walk or adventure that ive embarked on, I look for these small plants. And, after a few weeks of failing to find them here in Thailand, you could probably imagine my excitement when my friend Lilly pointed one out to me.

the reason that I have found this pure and utter joy in Mimosa Pudica plants is that they are so easily missed or disregarded as “weeds” by the common man, but when one discovers their magic, they can be considered one of Mother Nature’s coolest creations; when it is recognized that these are individuals that breathe and move and thrive and struggle. that we were created in the same energy and that they are aware enough to have a sense of touch.

how incredible is it that Mother Nature put so much effort into creating these tiny living beings? that she could have just rushed through their creation because they may be seen as insignificant in comparison to the lions or the sharks or the oak trees, but she didn’t. that she gave as much energy into these tiny beings as she gave to every one of her creations. she created something so small that radiates so much life.

especially here in Thailand, it is overwhelming to try to comprehend the fact that every creation by Mother Nature is alive. the fact that yes, the large mountain that I admire on my daily walk to school is not itself alive, but that there are billions of life forms that exist on the mountain itself and that thrive off of the mountain. from the epic assortment of plants to the plethora of insects to each tiny microorganism and blade of grass. they are all alive and existing in harmony and communicating.

the sheer amazement of life makes me feel so small. I struggle with finding purpose of the energy and the life that I want to radiate when I am completely surrounded by billions of life forms and millions of other human beings. I question what my role is in the variety of ecosystems that I am cycling through.

how do I carry out my beliefs and my purpose in the way that sets off the most naturally good vibrations? how do I use my energy to be a source of excitement for life and happiness with my fellow human beings? how do I keep my appreciation and peace with Mother Nature and the Earth itself? how do I keep my disturbance of the ecosystems at a low but also keep my presence at a high?

all of these wonders overwhelmed my soul. I felt like my life would be overshadowed by the canopy trees or by the wild tigers and my significance would be outshone by the pure volume of other life on this planet. this inner struggle was consuming my thoughts until I took Mother Nature’s creation as a teaching and came up with a natural role model: the Mimosa Pudica.

Sure, the tiny plant is often overlooked, mistaken for a weed and is seen as lesser than the more stereotypically beautiful natural creations, but it still is able to provoke such happiness, excitement and awe by the ones who appreciates it. it has significance because it radiates life and shows that it is a small but mighty beautiful creation by Mother Earth herself. if I follow the lead of the Mimosa Pudica, I too will be able to live a life of showing that I am too a creation of Mother Earth, that I too radiate life and happiness. and, that even though I may feel small and insignificant, my soul was created through Mother Nature’s artistic energy, and that itself is enough.